Frugal Corner Pipes (review)

[mddock58]

As I had posted before...

Well maybe this is a challenge for Mark to have his "beginner pipes" evaluated and critiqued by one or two of the pipers we have on board here!

I understand the arguments posted by the "pipers" on this board, and I respect all of you for your ability. ( I play(ed) 3 instruments and sing, and though I have a practice chanter, I have not got the hang of it - though there is a "physical" problem I have to work around.)

There is almost no way pipes that sell for under $200.00 are going to match a "nice" set of beginner pipes, just as a cheap flute bought off the internet may not give the good tone needed that a good beginner flute would.

Cost and quality are ALWAYS factors, the better quality, the more work involved, therefore the higher cost.

Snob or not, a good piper SHOULD evaluate the inexpensive pipes, because a non-piper or a beginning piper does not have either the experience or the ear to know what should be the result of playing the instrument.

I also believe that you should not snub a vendor, just because of the cost of the product. There are always areas where quality can be made cheaper than others, and with proper instruction, and quality control, anything may be made at significant savings.

Mark at Frugal Corner is not trying to put one over on the customer - that would result in a very poor customer feedback, and in this day and age, a swift demise.

I agree with much of what the pipers here have said, but I applaud Mark for being willing to have them evaluated at all.

[beloitpiper]

I happily claim the title of "pipe snob". I take the instrument seriously and as a result have been rewarded many times over. The immeasurable pleasure given me my my pipes is something I'd love everyone to share. Good luck to you Erisianmonkey in your piping journey. If you'd like advice as you move along, I'll be glad to help out.

AGREED. When looking for a set of Uilleann pipes, I saw a set manufactured by "Middle-East" (that is literally the name of the company) all over the internet. BUT, after asking Uilleann pipers all over the world (yay internet!) they all told me the same thing: Middle-East pipes may sound ok, but they don't hold up. And that's when I found David Daye, a Uilleann pipe maker who has helped me immeasurably and provided me with a set of pipes that I KNOW will last.

Craftsmanship is not always there. Sometimes, a product may look nice, but not live up to expectations (whether those expectations came from the manufacturer or not).

All I am saying is that looks can be deceiving.

[Kilted-Marine]

Since January we have sold and shipped close to 450 kilts, i could not tell you how many Sporrans, flashes and others things. We have sold and shipped MAYBE 30 bagpipes. It surprises me that there is more talk about the pipes then the Kilts. Some people would like to have an inexpensive set, and we would like to be the ones that provide them. When folks stop buying them we will stop selling them.

ANYWAY-here is the competition... Write an "EBAY BAGPIPE AD" for us and the best AD will win:
Their choice of a Stock Tartan Kilt, Custom made to size in Heavy weight 16 oz weight with matching flashes
Tartans include - Royal Stewart, Hunting Stewart, Black Watch, Pride of Scotland, Scottish National, Gordon, Dress Gordon, Dress MacPherson, Buchanan Modern, Clark / Clergy, Cameron, Solid Black, MacKenzie, and several others
You can send your AD to
Sales@thefrugalcorner.com subject Line: XMARK CONTEST

see website for more information http://www.thefrugalcorner.com/xmarks.htm

[Riverkilt]

Boy, I'm confused and disuaded. I love the sound of the pipes. Must be in my blood eh?

Some years ago my then girlfriend bought me a practice chanter for Christmas through one of those Scottish things jobber's catalog. Guessing for the price it was made in Pakistan.

I was thrilled, until I found I couldn't make it work...lung power, bad reed, something else...So I resolved to find a "quality" practice chanter and went to Thompson's in Flagstaff - fully intent on laying out a few hundred dollars. The owner asked to see my chanter. He took it and played it like a dream and said there's nothing wrong with it....so...must be me....I'm thinking about one of those electric ones since I live in a fourplex...no intent on playing the fancy ones. Just wanna make the music.

But I wouldn't know a good reed from a bad reed from any other bad or good parts.

Ron

[McMurdo]

Thanks for the open-minded review. I would think after reading this that if I were to ever try to learn the pipes again I will consider picking up my first set from Mark.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I don't know anything about these pipes. But, one thing that jumps out to me is the mention of not being able to get the chanter to play. It may not be the reed. You're gonna have to have PRETTY good air in order to even consider getting the chanter to squeak. Drone stops are a pretty good tool when you don't yet have the air.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

the first set of pipes I owned were" pakistani" pipes from " mideast manufacturing corp"

for alot of pipers its not so much the price, it's the quality......historicly pakistani pipes are of (way) below what you'd concider "quality workmanship"

I paid around $300 for my set and invested about 250 more to get them playable. for what I spent,( i didnt know at the time ) I could have gotten a set of Dunbar P1's and been playing from the getgo!

I had to replace the Bag, chanter, drone reeds, and chanter reeds to get them playable, and even then I couldnt play with anyone else cause I couldnt get the drones to tune to where the other pipers were tuning.
that and the "silver" kept falling off and I had to repair it.

I dont fault anyone for getting pakistani pipes, but if they asked me before buying I would suggest a polypenco ( plastic) set for playability, and ease of maintenance..

just my .02



ok that was just wierd.....I'm home with the kids today, and their watching Mr. Rodgers neibourhood (sp) and all the sudden I hear bagpipes!!!

they were in the world of make believe and one of the puppets was playing pipes ROTFLOL what a cowinkydink

kfp

[beloitpiper]

Give us another review in a year. I'd like to know how they hold up.

[thescot]

Thanks for the review, erisianmonkey. I got a cheap set recently myself, and I'm going to be anxious to see if I can make them play.

Like Beloit, I'll be interested in the long-term playability.

I'm probably going to pop for a set of Dunbars if I ever get the time to learn how to play.

[davidlpope]

I applaud anti-snobbery. Beware of unintended consequences, though. Sometimes beginners start out by buying a set of inexpensive bagpipes, have difficulty getting them to play, and then scrap the whole notion of learning piping, which is a real shame, after having spent a couple hundred bucks.

I'd encourage anyone to start with a quality practice chanter and the College of Piping tutor book (with CD) if you have an interest. If you've already done that, put the money you would spend on a set of "wall-hangers" towards a fagerstrom electronic chanter if you're not willing to save for a higher quality set. Not as "sexy" or "cool-looking" but it is a great practice aid that will make it easier to learn to play and focuses your attention where it should be- on learning to do embellishments properly. Wives, parents, and co-workers will appreciate you being able to practice without having to "share" the experience. Most piping teachers won't put pupils on the pipes for 6-9 months anyway, so there's no reason to rush into buying a set of pipes.

I had a set of **** pipes when I first started piping. With lots and lots of effort (and unanticipated expense) you could tweak them enough to play. Now I have both a set of dunbar polypenco and a set of D. Naills. In retrospect, personally, I wish I had just saved my money and started with the Dunbars.

Cordially,
David